Tipping used to be a feel-good gesture. But in 2025, many Illinoisans feel pressured to tip in situations where it was previously unnecessary, and in amounts that are hard to swallow. According to USA TODAY, the average tip Americans leave across the country is 18%. Nevertheless, residents in several states, including Illinois, leave well below…
While many Americans are feeling the effects of the rising cost of living, some households are thriving. To determine the states that high earners are moving to the most, SmartAsset examined the inflow and outflow of tax filers who made at least $200,000 in each state. They subtracted the outflow from the inflow to determine…
Did you know Disney owns seven of the world’s ten most-visited theme parks, and Universal owns the other three? While there’s more to Florida’s theme parks than Disney World and Universal Studios, it doesn’t take an economics expert to know that lower competition means theme parks like Disney and Universal can set high entrance prices…
Floridians are spoiled for choice when it comes to grocery stores. But few debates get as heated as the one between Publix and ALDI. On one side, you’ve got polished service and Pub Subs. On the other, crazy low prices and no-nonsense shopping. If you’ve never pushed a cart down both aisles, these are the…
Car insurance is one of those necessary expenses that feel like a monthly burden—especially for Massachusettsians, who have one of the highest car insurance premiums in the nation. But what if you could pay less without cutting corners on coverage? The good news is, you can. By making smarter choices and taking advantage of some…
When you think of the ultra-wealthy, images of Los Angeles and New York City probably come to mind. But the truth surprises many: Multi-billionaire Elon Musk lives in a small house in Texas, and Warren Buffett lives in the same Omaha, Nebraska, home he purchased in 1958. For these reasons, the richest of the rich…
When you think of the ultra-wealthy, images of Los Angeles and New York City probably come to mind rather than cities in Indiana. But the truth surprises many: Multi-billionaire Elon Musk lives in a small house in Texas, and Warren Buffett lives in the same Omaha, Nebraska, home he purchased in 1958. For these reasons,…
If you inwardly cringe when the cashier tells you the final amount of your grocery haul, you’re not alone. With inflation driving up the costs of many foods, it’s more important than ever to know about ways you can save money on your grocery bill. Sometimes, that means taking a hard look at your current…
The United States is often celebrated for its economic successes throughout history, but every state has its own economy to deal with. A state’s financial stability depends, in part, on the counties within its borders. With so many factors in play across the many counties in each state, including lawmaking and geography, there are large…
The United States is often celebrated for its economic successes throughout history. But every state has its own economy to deal with, including Pennsylvania. A state’s financial stability depends, in part, on the counties within its borders. With so many factors in play across the many counties in each state, including lawmaking and geography, there…
